arithmetically challenged people

In this scenario, once the third door is opened, they each have a

Only if the host opens a door at random, which isn't the case in the classic Monty Hall problem. The host knows where the car is, and always opens one of the other doors.

Er, the host can't open one of the other doors now, since they have both already been selected by the two contestants. If he does however, and reveals a goat, then that contestant now has a ZERO chance of winning obviously, with the remaining contestant on 66%. Try actually re-reading the new scenario presented.

Trevor.

I think maybe you need to re-read. Each contestant picks a door, then the host opens the remaining door. If he exposes a goat, then at least one of the contestants gets a car. In fact either of the contestants will get the car, with a 50/50 chance.

This is called the Monty Hall problem. And yes, switching does change the probabilities of winning, and this can be proved with a simple computer program. I use this in both my math classes when we cover probabilities, and in my programming classes.

NOPE, IF the host picks the remaining door he now has a 1/3 chance of the big prize, and the other two also have only a 1/3 chance each of the big prize, NOT 50:50.

trevor.

I should have added that yes IF (and only IF) the host reveals a goat, the other two will now have a 50:50 chance, but surely that is obvious, and remains so whether they both switch or both stay, so is NO Longer like the original MH problem at all.

Trevor.

The host doesn't pick the remaining door, he opens it. He reveals a goat/donkey whatever. That means the two contestants have door each, one of which has a car behind it. They now each have 50/50 odds. There is nothing in this scenario that puts one contestant's odds higher than the other since they both picked a door each at the start.

Of course - and that is precisely the new scenario presented. As I said - re-read. And no, it is nothing like the original MH problem.

ONLY if it is not behind the one the host already opened. Since he no longer has a choice of doors, he must have a 1/3 chance of showing the car.

Right, where did I say otherwise, IF the host has not already shown the car? The whole point is that the game is now no longer like the Monty Hall scenario in any way.

Trevor.

Why do I need to re-read, that is exactly what I said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What the hell are you objecting to??????????????????

Trevor.